Grace D. Wichman, 86

September 27, 2002

Grace D. Wichman, 86, of Barrington, a charter member of the Barrington Area Historical Society who restored antique cars and furniture, died Monday, Sept. 23, in Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights. Born in Palatine, she graduated from Palatine High School in 1934 and worked in the Chicago office of the Florsheim Shoe Co. until she married in 1939. A longtime Barrington homemaker, she taught Sunday school and was active in the Cub and Girl Scouts. Later she returned to work for Lawn Equipment Distributors in Barrington and at Bell's Apple Orchard in Lake Zurich. In the 1950s, Mrs. Wichman and her late husband, Edmund Jr., bought a 1920 Model T Ford, sparking a lifelong interest in antiques. "She loved finding old stuff ... and making it new," said her son, Edmund III. She never learned to drive, but she loved restoring automobiles. The Wichmans won competitions for their classic cars and matching costumes. Mrs. Wichman gave her antique clothing collection to the historical society she helped found, but she held onto that first old car. On Saturday, family members will drive it to Barrington's Evergreen Cemetery as part of a private service. "She wanted another ride in that Model T," her son said. Other survivors include a daughter, Virginia Wichman-Kowal, a sister, Helen Anderson; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.